Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

You’re looking for speculaas labelled as gluten-free. Only then does it make sense to compare the sugar content. The Dutch Coeliac Society describes the Crossed Grain trademark as a useful guide when choosing.

Gluten-free shoppers comparing sugar levels

You want to compare suitable biscuits based on their ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g, without being misled by different portion sizes or a claim on the front of the pack alone.

Home bakers adapting a recipe

You want to decide for yourself how much sugar to add to your speculaas. It’s still important to use ingredients labelled gluten-free and prevent cross-contamination.

What should you look for?

First, check that the specific speculaas is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Then compare the sugars per 100 g in similar gluten-free biscuits. Convenience is no substitute for either of these checks.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain trademark, and check the ingredients and allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a lower sugar figure until I know the biscuit is gluten-free. This certainty comes first for around 45% of consumers.
Sugar content For similar gluten-free biscuits, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, rather than relying on a sugar claim or a figure per portion alone. I want to choose between suitable biscuits based on their sugar figures. Around 36% of consumers give this comparison top priority.
Convenience and availability Look for a specific gluten-free product and check the packaging again when you buy or use it. If I’m looking for a ready-made biscuit, I want to find it easily without skipping the label check. Convenience comes first for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘less sugar’

    These labels refer to different properties. For example, HEMA lists 25.5 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free speculaas biscuits; that figure, on its own, tells you nothing about other products.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for similar gluten-free biscuits.

  • Relying on a sugar claim alone

    ‘Low sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same as sugar-free or the lowest sugar content among the biscuits you’re comparing.

    Alongside the claim, check the nutrition information per 100 g and the ingredients list.

  • Treating ordinary speculaas as a gluten-free option

    The product specifications for Lotus Biscoff Original list wheat flour and cereals containing gluten. A suitable sugar content doesn’t make this product suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Choose a specific product whose current packaging carries a gluten-free label.

  • Missing a packaging change or product recall

    On 9 September 2026, Albert Heijn announced a recall of AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-03-2027 because it may contain undeclared almonds. The warning applies to that specific product and best-before date.

    Check the packaging, best-before date and any product warnings, especially if you have an allergy as well as coeliac disease.

Brands to compare

These examples can help you assess a specific product. The gluten-free label and sugar figure should always match the packaging of the product you choose.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Glutenvrij Speculaas.

  • A packaged product to assess by checking its gluten-free label and nutrition information.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the packaging. The recall of AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-03-2027 does not automatically apply to AH Glutenvrij Speculaas.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists the Crossed Grain trademark for its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas 125 g.

  • The trademark is relevant if it also appears on the current packaging.
  • The trademark says nothing about the sugar content, so compare the nutrition information per 100 g.

Schär

Jumbo lists Schär Gluten Free Speculoos as a gluten-free product.

  • A specific product to compare with other gluten-free speculaas or speculoos biscuits.
  • Before choosing based on sugar content, compare the sugars per 100 g on the current packaging.

Consenza

Jumbo lists Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes as a gluten-free product.

  • A packaged option whose gluten-free label you can check.
  • The label doesn’t indicate how it ranks for sugar content; check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the packaging.

Lotus Biscoff

The Lotus Biscoff Original reviewed here is regular speculoos, not a gluten-free option for people with coeliac disease.

  • The product specifications clearly list wheat flour and cereals containing gluten.
  • Don’t compare this product as an alternative to gluten-free speculaas, even if its sugar figure appeals to you.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat ordinary speculaas if I have coeliac disease?

If you have coeliac disease, only choose speculaas whose current packaging says the product is gluten-free. For example, Lotus Biscoff Original lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten. When choosing, the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain trademark.

Does gluten-free speculaas automatically contain less sugar?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ tells you nothing about the amount of sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels per 100 g; for similar gluten-free biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’.

Is speculaas labelled ‘low sugar’ also sugar-free?

No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, even if there’s a sugar claim on the front of the pack.

What should I look for when baking gluten-free speculaas at home?

Use ingredients labelled gluten-free and prevent cross-contamination during preparation. For flour, the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing products with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible. Otherwise, look for a gluten-free symbol or the words ‘gluten-free’.

What applies to AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-03-2027?

This specific product is part of the recall Albert Heijn announced on 9 September 2026 because it may contain undeclared almonds. Don’t use an affected pack. Check the best-before date and product warning; the notice does not automatically apply to other gluten-free speculaas from Albert Heijn.